Parking space guarding device



Dec. 4, 1962 A. DANlN PARKING SPACE GUARDING DEVICE Filed 001;. 2, 1961 iii FICA

INVENTOR. max DAMN BY M% m- TQKNEY.

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3,066,431 Patented Dec. 4, 1%52 ire 3,966,431 PARKING SPACE GUARDHNG DEWQE Alex Darrin, 168i) Mameroneck Ave, White Plains, NY. Filed Get. 2, 1961, tier. No. 142,113 Ciaiins. (Cl. 39--92} My invention relates to parking space guarding devices.

Parking lots for vehicles, such as privately owned automobiles, often contain a plurality of parking spaces assigned or rented to specific individuals. Many types of such lots have no guard or custodian and further have exits and entrances which can be used freely by general automobile traflic. For example, oif the street parking lots of large apartment houses or shopping developments often fall within this category. The owners or operators of such lots are always concerned with the ever present problem of preventing unauthorized parking of automobiles in parking spaces assigned to others.

I have invented a parking space guarding device which solves this problem.

Accordingly it is and object of my invention to provide a parking space guarding device of the character indicated.

Another object is to provide a parking space guarding device for preventing unauthorized parking in assigned spaces in a parking lot that is inexpensive, requires little or no maintenance, and can be operated at will by the individual or individuals authorized to have access to such spaces.

Still another object is to provide a parking space guarding device of the type indicated which can control access to two adjacent parking spaces simultaneously.

These and other objects of my invention will either be explained or will become apparent hereinafter.

In accordance with my invention my parking space guarding device is positioned between two adjacent parking spaces in a parking lot. First and second columns aligned with the device are positioned on opposite sides of these two spaces. The device can block vehicular access to either or both spaces, or depending upon its setting, can permit vehicles to enter either or both spaces freely.

The device itself can comprise a vertical member having a vertical central web and first and second vertical flanges secured to opposite edges of said web whereby the cross section of this member resembles an H. First and second shafts extend horizontally between both flanges on opposite sides of the web. First and second elongated guard elements are each secured at one end to a corresponding shaft. Each element is slidable along the corresponding shaft and is rotatable through a vertical arc about this shaft.

Each element has a first or blocking position in which it extends horizontally and together with the appropriate column blocks vehicular access to the appropriate space. Alternatively, each element has a second or free position in which it extends vertically and permits unimpeded vehicular access to the appropriate space.

As explained hereinafter, each element can be locked in the blocking position by the individual having access to the space when the space is not in use, thus readily preventing unauthorized use of the space.

An illustrative embodiment of my invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying rawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional plan view of a parking space guarding device in accordance with my invention taken along line BB in FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a vertical view in section taken along line A-A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view, drawn to a reduced scale, of a parking lot utilizing a plurality of the devices of FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a vertical member identified generally at 9 and having a vertical central web 10 and first and second vertical flanges 12 and 1d secured to opposite edges of said web whereby the member in cross section resembles an H.

First and second shafts 16 and 18 at the same vertical elevation extend horizontally between flanges 12 and 14 and are secured thereto, these shafts being on opposite sides of web 10.

A first elongated guard element 20 is secured at one end to shaft 16 in such manner as to be slidable therealong and also to be vertically rotatable through an are about shaft 16. A second elongated guard element 22 is similarly secured at one end to shaft 18.

When either of elements 20 or 22 (or both) is swung into a horizontal position and slid toward flange 14, it will rest upon one of horizontally extending studs 24 or 25 which then holds it in horizontal or blocking position.

Hasps 28 are attached to each of elements 20 and 22. Similarly hasps 30 are attached to an end cap 22 secured to both flanges and covering the top end of the vertical member. When any element is supported horizontally, its hasp 28 is aligned with a corresponding hasp 3d. The person having authorized access to the parking space guarded by one element can lock the aligned hasps together with his own padlock to block vehicular access to the space and can obtain free access by removing the padlock.

FIG. 4 shows a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces M36. Vertical columns 164 and parking space guarding devices 102 are interleaved with each' other in such manner that each device 102 is located at a point of vehicular entry common to two adjacent spaces while each column is also located at a point of entry common to one of these two adjacent spaces and the next adjacent space. Each of park guarding devices 102, as has been indicated in the preceding brief description of FIG. 4 is as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

When a guard element 20 of one of the devices is locked in its horizontal position, the horizontal clearance between the free end of the element and the appropriate column, which, for example, can be between 3 and 5 feet, is insuflicient for vehicular clearance.

Typically, the device is fabricated entirely from metal, although other materials of proper structural rigidity can be used. The device will normally be embedded in concrete to a depth below ground of about 3 feet and will extend about 3 to 4 feet above ground. The member can be a structural steel beam, for example an I beam commercially designated as 6 WF 15.5. The shafts can be formed from A inch galvanized iron pipe about 4 to 5 inches long. The members can be 2 inch by 2 inch rectangular capped tubing from 3 to 5 feet long.

While I have shown and pointed out my invention as applied above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made within the scope and sphere of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A parking lot guarding device comprising a vertical member having a vertical central web and first and secand vertical flanges secured to opposite edges of said web whereby said vertical member in cross section resembles an H; a shaft extending horizontally between and secured to both flanges on one side of the web; an elon gated guard element secured at one end to said shaft, said element being slidable along said shaft and rotatable through a vertical arc about said shaft; supporting means secured to one flange for supporting said element in horizontal position when said element is swung to a horizontal position and slid along said shaft to contact said spear-s1 a) supporting means; and first and second hasps, one hasp on said element, the other hasp on said one web, said hasps being in registration when said element is supported in horizontal position.

2. A parking lot guarding device comprising a vertical member having a vertical central web and first and second vertical flanges secured to opposite edges of said web whereby said vertical member in cross section resembles an H; first and second shafts extending horizontally between and secured to both flanges on opposite sides of the web; first and second elongated guard elements, each element being secured at one end to the corresponding shaft, each element being slidable along and rotatable through a vertical are about the corresponding shaft; and first and second supporting means, each secured to a flange on opposite sides of said web, each means supporting the corresponding element in horizontal position when said corresponding element is slid along the corresponding shaft to contact said each means.

3. A parking lot guarding device comprising a vertical member having a vertical central web and first and second vertical flanges secured to opposite edges of said web whereby said vertical member in cross section resembles an H; first and second shafts extending horizontally between and secured to both flanges on opposite sides of the web; first and second elongated guard ele ments, each element being secured at one end to the corresponding shaft, each element being slidable along and rotatable through a vertical arc about the corresponding shaft; first and second supporting means, each secured to a flange on opposite sides of said web, each means supporting the corresponding element in horizontal position when said corresponding element is slid along the corresponding shaft to contact said each means; first second, third and fourth hasps, said first and second hasps being secured to said first and second elements respectively, each of said third and fourth hasps being secured to a flange on opposite sides of said web, said first and second hasps being in registration with said third and fourth hasps respectively when said first and second elements are supported in horizontal positions.

4. In a parking lot having a plurality of adjacent parking spaces, a parking lot guarding device positioned between two adjacent spaces and comprising a vertical member having a vertical central web and first and second vertical flanges secured to opposite edges of said web whereby said vertical member in cross section resembles an H; first and second shafts extending horizontally between and secured to both flanges on opposite sides of the web; first and second elongated guard elements, each element being secured at one end to the corresponding shaft, each element being slidable along and rotatable through a vertical are about the corresponding shaft; and first and second supporting means, each secured to a flange on opposite sides of said web, each means supporting the corresponding element in horizontal position when said corresponding element is slid along the corresponding shaft to contact said each means.

5. A parking lot guarding device comprising a vertical member having a vertical central web and first and second vertical flanges secured to opposite edges of said web whereby said vertical member in cross section resembles an H; a shaft extending horizontally between and secured to both flanges on one side of the web; an elongated guard element being so secured at one end to said shaft that said element is slidable along said shaft, said element being rotatable upward through a vertical are about said shaft from a vertical to a horizontal position; and supporting means secured to one flange for supporting said element in horizontal position when said element is swung to a horizontal position and slid along said shaft to contact said supporting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

